The Scout assesses the transfer trends of Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of the start of 2021/22.
Goalkeepers
Watford's Daniel Bachmann (£4.5m) has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Illan Meslier (£5.0m) this season.
Meslier was the second-best value player in 2020/21 Fantasy following his promotion with Leeds United.
Starting last term at a cost of £4.5m, he totalled 154 points thanks to 11 clean sheets, 20 bonus and 36 save points.
This season, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) has emerged as the most popular cut-price goalkeeper, owned by 26.5 per cent.
Overall, though, managers have been paying extra for their goalkeeper choices in early squads.
Indeed, of the 10 most-selected goalkeepers, Sanchez is one of only three players to cost under £5.0m.
Meslier’s exploits last season show why cut-price goalkeepers who offer multiple routes to returns can help to free up crucial funds.
In terms of points-per-million value, all four of the top performing goalkeepers in 2020/21 started at only £4.5m.
Favourable fixtures
Watford’s Bachmann has a kind opening schedule to deliver big value in the sub-£5.0m bracket.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), four of their first six matches score only two.
Watford's first six Gameweeks
| GW | Opponent | FDR |
| 1 | AVL (H) | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BHA (A) | 3 |
| 3 | TOT (A) | 4 |
| 4 | WOL (H) | 2 |
| 5 | NOR (A) | 2 |
| 6 | NEW (H) | 2 |
Furthermore, Watford's 23 clean sheets and 30 goals conceded were both the best totals in the Championship last season.
And crucially, Bachmann was preferred to Ben Foster (£4.0m) in 23 of their 26 matches under head coach Xisco Munoz.
Bachmann's best saves 2020/21
This suggests Foster's hefty 24.7 per cent ownership should think twice about holding him, unless pairing him with Bachmann.
Martin an alternative?
Brentford's David Raya Martin (£4.5m) could also offer value, considering that three of the four best value goalkeepers last season were from promoted sides.
The Bees face only one of last term's top 10 sides in the opening five Gameweeks.
Also in this series
Part 2: Don't overlook Van Dijk value
Part 3: Bowen form hints at another fast start